nister suspicion in M. d'Escorval's mind.

"Good God!" he thought, "does this wretched man meditate some crime?"

He glanced at Chanlouineau, and his anxiety increased. On hearing the
names of the marquis and of Marie-Anne, the robust farmer had turned
livid. "It is decided," said Lacheneur, with an air of the lost
satisfaction, "that they will give me the ten thousand francs bequeathed
to me by Mademoiselle Armande. Moreover, I am to fix upon such a sum as
I consider a just recompense for my services. And that is not all; they
have offered me the position of manager at Sairmeuse; and I was to be
allowed to occupy the gamekeeper's cottage, where I lived so long. But
on reflection I refused this offer. After having enjoyed for so long
a time a fortune which did not belong to me, I am anxious to amass a
fortune of my own."

"Would it be indiscreet in me to inquire what you intend to do?"

"Not the least in the world. I am going to turn pedler."

M. d'Escorval could not believe his ears. "Pedler?" he repeated.

"Yes, Monsieur. Look, there is my pack in that corner."

"But this is absurd!" exclaimed M. d'Escorval. "People can scarcely earn
their daily bread in this way."

"You are wrong, Monsieur. I have considered the subject carefully; the
profits are thirty per cent. And if besides, there will be three of us
to sell goods, for I shall confide one pack to my son, and another to
Chanlouineau."

"What! Chanlouineau?"

"He has become my partner in the enterprise."

"And his farm--who will take care of that?"

"He will employ day-laborers."

And then, as if wishing to make M. d'Escorval understand that his visit
had lasted quite long enough, Lacheneur began arranging the little
packages which were destined to fill the pack of the travelling
merchant.

But the baron was not to be gotten rid of so easily, now that his
suspicions had become almost a certainty.

"_I_ must speak with you," he said, brusquely.

M. Lacheneur turned.

"_I_ am very busy," he replied, with a very evident reluctance.

"_I_ ask only five minutes. But if you have not the time to spare
to-day, I will return to-morrow--day after to-morrow--and every day
until I can see you in private."

Lacheneur saw plainly that it would be impossible to escape this
interview, so, with the gesture of a man who resigns himself to a
necessity, addressing his son and Chanlouineau, he said:

"Go outside for a few moments."

They obeyed, and as soon a